The latest challenge for students in Ming Hu’s Structure and Architecture class (ARCH465) was to put their origami creations to the test in a design competition. Earlier in April, teams of students were asked to construct self-supporting designs are able to carry the heaviest load possible while still being able to be folded back into a flat plane.
Hu encouraged the class to look for design inspiration from nature. Certain species of beetle that have wings up to three times the size of their bodies have wings that fold up similar to origami. Examples of this “biomimicry” design are evident in engineering, architecture and home products that mimic natural structures like beehives, spider webs or bird nests.
Each team was required to build a structure that would stand at least 8 inches tall and could use no more than 20 sheets of 8 ½’ x 11 inch paper. None of the structures could use glue or tape—nothing but regular paper. The structure holding the most weight and having the most innovative, elegant approach would determine the winner.
Competition results, showing how simple materials can be reshaped or combined, forming structures supporting surprising weight can be seen here.